With a recommendation from the Cincinnati Bike Share Feasibility Study completed in September 2012, Cincinnati installed Phase 1 of the Red Bike system in the Downtown, OTR and Uptown neighborhoods which opened to the public in September 2014.

The initial cost of setting up Cincy Red Bike was approximately US$2 million.

The city of Cincinnati provided $1.1 million with the rest of the capital coming from private funding.

Their one-piece aluminum frame and handlebars conceal cables and fasteners in an effort to protect them from vandalism and inclement weather.

[9] Residents of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky who receive food or energy assistance, or are clients of one of Red Bike's partner organizations, qualify for a $5 monthly pass called Red Bike Go.